"Like that nineteenth-century speciality, the romantic tenor, the voice of the baritone took on ever more sturdy characteristics to combat the burgeoning orchestras of romantic opera composers. The baritone needed to be able to sustain a high tessitura and to ring out in the midst of an orchestral fortissimo. Such demands gave rise to the Verdi baritone, absolutely central to Verdiís work and for a time, through his operas, became as esteemed as the romantic tenor. Therefore the works of Verdi justifiably take a central position in Alan Opieís recital. The disc also features some of the most famous bel-canto baritone writing by Verdiís contemporaries.

Principal baritone with English National Opera for many years, the versatile Alan Opie has performed a wide variety of major roles. He sings regularly at Glyndebourne and Covent Garden, most recently in The Bartered Bride and Sophieís Choice. He is much in demand internationally, having performed at the most prestigious venues including Bayreuth, La Scala, Milan, The Metropolitan Opera, New York, Vienna State Opera, Den norske opera Oslo, Netherlands Reisopera and the Opera national de Paris-Bastille. Future plans include the Forester in The Cunning Little Vixen (La Scala), Fieramosca in Benvenuto Cellini (the Met), Balstrode in Peter Grimes in Toronto and at the Royal Opera House, and roles in La Traviata at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Die Meistersinger in Turin, Madama Butterfly in Cagliari, Munich, London, Beijing and Tokyo, and the title role in Rigoletto at English National Opera.

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Reviews

'Opie has been a faithful servant of opera for Britain for many years, and this sompilation presents him in on impressive form. He dispenses firm tone, well supported , with a ringing top, and he produces long phrases, with a legato helped by clear enunciation which is unhampered by overstressing.'Gramophone

Alan Opies sense of engagement with the Count of Luna is formidable, his command of the vocal needs of the role consistently impressive.Opera Now on CHAN 3036(2) (Il trovatore)

The baritone Alan Opie as Di Luna is the star of the recording, a top-grade performance.The Sunday Telegraph on CHAN 3036(2) (Il trovatore)

Alan Opie has appeared on numerous Chandos recordings and is consistently well reviewed: Throughout, Opie provides plenty of visceral excitementÖ"Opera News, New York on CHAN 3083(2) (Lucia of Lammermoor)"

Alan Opie is on tremendous form as Carlo, musicianly to a degree and wedding notes to text with complete success.BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 3052(2) (Ernani)

Opie has een a faithful servant of opera for Britain for many years, and this sompilation presents him in on impressive form. He dispenses firm tone, well supported , with a ringing top, and he produces long phrases, with a legato helped by clear enunciation which is unhampered by overstressing.Gramophone

'Frankly, given the need for good Verdi baritones, it is hard to explain why he isn't more of a superstar that is the case. What I hear on the disc is a warm lyric baritone with sufficient heft for the big moments, smooth and even tonal emission, a nd a wide range complete woth a secure top. He sings with committment, intensity, and sensitivity'.'Fanfare